O' Christmas Tree

We got our Christmas tree this year from our land across the street.  The kids and I went out searching for one and we stumbled upon a tree that we hoped would work!  My main concern was the tree's skinny base fitting into our tree stand.  We went out together as a family and Ryan cut it down.  The base was too skinny to fit, so he cut wood and placed it around the base so it could fit.  We ended up decorating the tree with LOTS of ribbon.  (My friend, Tera, gave me ribbon to use.)  The bottom of the tree isn't super full, so the ribbon helps, I think.  I love our tree.  I think it is my favorite that we have ever had.  I am already on the look for another tree that may work for next year.  There are a couple possibilities in the woods! :)

Josiah, Aedan, and Mercy with the tree

Ryan cutting the skinny base

the crew with the tree

time to decorate

Mercy with Ryan

Josiah with the tree

Our colorful ribbon tree

toothless

While in Charleston, Josiah's tooth (second over from the front tooth) came out!  A day after we got home, the front one came out!  He looks cute with his missing teeth, and his big ones look good coming in, but I will miss those little baby ones!

Thanksgiving in Columbia

On Friday we headed for Columbia.  We got there around 12:30 or so and had Thanksgiving lunch shortly after.  Later that afternoon we went to the zoo to see the animals and the Christmas lights.  The kids love going to the zoo, especially Josiah.  He loves seeing all the animals and wants me to take pictures of almost every animal.

These lions always pose so perfectly for me.

Sporting their Clemson hats!

Mercy and Stacey

the elephant: another photogenic animal at the zoo

Mercy's favorite: the flamingos

Ahhhhh! the alligator!

Aedan with the alligator!

the tigers with the Tiger

On Saturday, we were ready for the big game!  Unfortunately, Clemson decided to wait till the SC game to make numerous mistakes.  Why not spread it out a little throughout the season?  Or make your mistakes during the Citadel game?  Oh, well.  I guess there's always next year.  Despite the game, we had a fun experience that afternoon.  We were out in Columbia in our Clemson attire and we were asked to be interviewed for the news for a small business Saturday story.  Below is the story.  I'm not sure how long the story will be accessible, though!

This tiger means business!

Cutie!

The link:
http://www.wltx.com/news/article/257218/2/Carolina-vs-Clemson-Falls-On-Small-Business-Saturday


The story:

Thanksgiving in Charleston

We headed down to South Carolina for Thanksgiving.  We traveled all day in the rain on Tuesday.  And, it wasn't just a sprinkle, but lots of heavy rain.  We made it, though!  Praise the Lord!  On Wednesday, we took the kids to Monkey Joes and then went ice skating.  They loved Monkey Joes, and were excited to have a "new place" to go when we visit Charleston.  They are becoming little skating pros.  Aedan went without the ice walker this time, too!  On Wednesday night, we went out to eat at a China buffet place.  Aedan tried octopus! hahaha!  

Skating stars

Aedan with his octopus

 On Thanksgiving day, we went over to Ashley Park to have lunch with Mama!

Later, we went to Tom and Sandy's to see the Scruggs crew!

Luke (Matt and Emily's son-with the blond hair), Thomas and Robert (Carla and Claude's sons), and then our kids!
Scruggs cousins Take 2, or shall I say the Real World Take 2

Scruggs cousins rule!
Had to say it...it used to be our chant!

Time with Aunt Caroline

November highlights

I enjoyed our month of November.  We had a little bit of sickness that went through the McGann household, and it seemed to linger on with Aedan and myself.  Glad it is over now.  The month of November has also been a time off from sports.  I like to have a break from the obligation at being at various practices.  It is nice!  In November, Ryan finished reading Prince Caspian to the kids so the kids were able to watch the movie once we were done.  Josiah was disappointed that the movie was so different than the book.  He kept saying, "They're skipping parts.  That's not what happened!"  I think they were a little spoiled by how closely The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe movie followed the book.  Onto The Voyage of the Dawn Treader next.

Here are some other November highlights:

Lilian's birthday party
Lilian is a friend from church and she is on Aedan's grade.  (She is the one with the tiara on her head.)  She had her birthday at the Art Mill.  The kids LOVED painting, and our paintings are currently hanging in our living room.

Josiah's diorama
Josiah did a diorama project in November.  He had to make a diorama of a habitat of his choice and then complete a write-up on the habitat.  He did a good job, and the shark eating the seal was totally his idea!

 A new light fixture:

the old

the new
We plan on moving the cross to a different wall and changing it up a little.  I found this fixture at essex in town.  A GREAT deal!  I still want to paint our cabinets and change the hardware eventually.  Not sure when it will all happen.  I do think once I paint them, it will look better with the rod iron of the fixture.

Ryan continues school
The kids often swarm him!  hahaha!  No personal space allowed!

Halloween 2013

Halloween Take 1:

My transformer, pink-haired princess, and football all-star

Halloween Take 2:

My Clemson tiger, princess, and transformer

pumpkin carving

Okay, I know it's December this is a pumpkin carving post.  I am behind.  Considering I still have my fall wreath hanging on our front door at the moment and it is December 13th, it is fitting.  There's really no particular reason why I am behind other than busyness of life.  So, if you're reading this post then you haven't given up on me with this blog!  hahaha  Maybe I will catch up before the New Year!

Here's our pumpkin carving pictures.  We originally had one big pumpkin, but then Aedan got one on his field trip to the pumpkin patch.  I was surprised by the size of the pumpkin he brought home.  He said that Mrs. Fowler said he had to be able to carry his own pumpkin.  When I saw the size of it, it cracked me up.  Of course, he got the biggest thing he could carry!

The boys each took turns carving with Ryan's help.  They were pleased with the finished products!

getting started

getting the guck out

ewwww

Aedan carving a pumpkin for the first time.

making a typical Aedan face

Aedan with his pumpkin

Josiah carving

our giant pumpkin

My three sweeties with their pumpkins!
I love this picture

And, one last picture since it is the fall...a football picture hanging on the boys' bedroom door: "No South Carolina fans allowed."  hahahaha!
Well, except maybe Aunt Francie and cousin Francie